Gifts for the modern dad: Try these creative ideas for Father's Day

Pipe and slippers? Today's dad is more likely to be trail biking with the kids, downloading sports apps or jamming with his own weekend band.

So this Father's Day, consider giving him something that honors his creative, fun-loving and adventurous spirit.

Cloud 9 Living is an "experience gift" company; they'll organize a day's adventure that's sure to get the adrenaline pumping. Bungee jumping in Azusa, Calif.; caving in Marengo, Ind.; bike touring in Chicago; and bull riding in Denver or Houston are just a few of the offerings.

There are tamer pursuits, too, such as an hour with a golf pro or an archery lesson, but there are sure to be dads who'd relish the thought of a private ninja lesson or a ride on a stock-car track. Music lovers might appreciate a couple of hours with a real DJ learning how to spin vinyl.

There are food, wine and brew tours as well. Cloud 9 offers experiences in or near many major cities. You can select a day's adventure, or get Dad a gift certificate and leave the choosing to him. He has a year to use it -- plenty of time to screw up his courage, if necessary.

This product image courtesy of Bughouse shows album wall art, pigmented ink on canvas. Pipe and slippers? Today's dad is more likely to be trail biking with the kids, downloading sports apps or jamming with his own weekend band. So this Father's Day, consider giving him something that honors his creative, fun-loving and adventurous spirit. (AP Photo/Bughouse)

If Dad's a "stuff" lover when it comes to gifts, there are several cool-and-unusual items to consider.

Restoration Hardware's Aviator collection was envisioned by chairman and co-CEO Gary Friedman, who was fascinated by designs from the "Golden Age" of aviation. He wanted to reinterpret the sleek lines of those built-for-speed designs for a modern market.

The Devon Spitfire chair is a swashbuckling swoop of stainless steel, aluminum and leather. Evoking a WWII airplane seat, it would be a neat home-office chair.

Gelaskins has interesting covers for the art lover's iPad, including artist Philip Straub's lush, fantastic landscape and architecture images, and former Marvel Comics artist Frank Miller's art from "Sin City" and "300."

Is Dad a baseball nut, but already has every cap or jersey? Uncommon Goods has limited-edition pens crafted of wood from the old stadium seats of 15 famous ballparks, such as Comiskey Park, Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium.

This product image courtesy of Bughouse shows the FutureFossil 35mm concrete camera. Pipe and slippers? Today's dad is more likely to be trail biking with the kids, downloading sports apps or jamming with his own weekend band. So this Father's Day, consider giving him something that honors his creative, fun-loving and adventurous spirit. (AP Photo/Bughouse)

For a numbers guy, consider the Geek Watch, with math formulas marking each hour; he'll have to hide it from his hipster kids.

Film buffs will love the Future Fossil concrete casts of 35mm and 16mm cameras, at HenryRoad.

And for music aficionados, Los Angeles studio Bughouse has designed photoprinted vinyl-album stack shelves as wall art. They're grouped by genre, so you can buy a panel of vintage rock or great jazz albums or '80s tunes.

If Dad's all about his MP3 player, check out iFrogz's customizable headphones and ear buds. Choose colors and finishes for a personal sound accessory he'll really dig.

At MusicSkins, find art for most hand-held electronic devices from TV series such as The Wire, and musicians such as John Lennon, Miles Davis, Johnny Cash and The Who. Or you can customize your own skin -- maybe with dad's garage band logo.

This product image courtesy of iFrogz shows iFrogz customizable ear buds. If Dad's all about his MP3 player, check out iFrogz's customizable headphones and ear buds. Choose colors and finishes for a personal sound accessory he'll really dig. (AP Photo/iFrogz)

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Sourcebook:

www.cloud9living.com

www.restorationhardware.com - Devon Spitfire chair, $995-$1,110

www.bughouse.com - Wall of Sound collection album wall art, $98 and up

This product image courtesy of MusicSkins shows the KISS music skin for an iPhone. Pipe and slippers? Today's dad is more likely to be trail biking with the kids, downloading sports apps or jamming with his own weekend band. So this Father's Day, consider giving him something that honors his creative, fun-loving and adventurous spirit. (AP Photo/MusicSkins)

www.henryroad.com - Future Fossil 35mm camera cast, $85, 16mm film camera cast, $125

www.ifrogz.com - headphones, $17.49

www.musicskins.com - music-oriented graphic art for electronic devices

www.gelaskins.com - Skins for iPad 2 - Philip Straub's Infinite Oz, $29.95; Frank Miller art, $29.95

www.uncommongoods.com - limited edition stadium pens, $170-$260; Geek Watch, $65